By David Arome
Ugandans lament about the blanket internet shutdown, which threatens to silence voices, undermine votes, and hinder civic participation as the general election kicks off this Thursday, January 15, 2026. The action of the government constitutes serious violations of digital rights, media freedom, and democratic principles.
Evidence indicates access to the internet remains disrupted, affecting social media platforms, messaging services, and online news outlets. Despite earlier assurances by the Uganda Communication Commission that there was no intention to shut down the internet during the general election. This represents a derailment of trust in government commitment and raises concern about transparency, accountability, and respect for fundamental human rights.
The internet shutdown is synonymous with Ugandan elections, including the 2016, 2021, and now 2026 general elections. As well documented in 2021, it was a near-total internet blackout for days, undermining freedom of expression, access to information, election observation, media reporting, and economic activity.
Further worsened by the directive to prevent media houses from covering during protests demonstration during this period. Such restrictions negate media freedom and the public’s right to receive information, and undermine the role of the press as a democratic watchdog. Creating an avenue for escalating misinformation heightens tension and erodes public trust in the electoral process.
The ban contradicts Article 29 of the Republic of Uganda Constitution that guarantees the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of the press and other media, and access to information. Uganda is also a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protect these rights under Articles 19 and 9, respectively. Any restriction on these rights must meet the strict tests of legality, necessity, proportionality, and legitimate aim. The internet shutdowns and platform restrictions fail these tests and are incompatible with Uganda’s constitutional and international obligations.
At the international level, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, together with other UN Special Procedures mandate holders, has consistently affirmed that internet shutdowns are inherently disproportionate and can never be justified under international human rights law, including during elections, protests, or periods of political tension.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has recently issued a specific call urging the Government of Uganda to keep the internet on and to respect freedom of expression and media freedom during the current electoral period. This call builds on established African human rights standards, including Resolution 580 on Internet Shutdowns and Elections in Africa and Principle 38 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, which prohibits States from interfering with access to digital technologies.
Internet Service Providers and technology companies operating in Uganda also bear responsibility under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to respect human rights, ensure transparency, and avoid complicity in unlawful or disproportionate restrictions on connectivity.
